http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/715170/refugee-eritrea-immigrant-swansea-griffith-john-street-crime-drugs-court-relocated
Migrant who fled war zone BEGS to be moved out of Swansea as it's full of 'bad people'
A MIGRANT who was offered the chance of a new life in Swansea has made a heartfelt plea to be relocated away from the “hell hole”, claiming the city is full of “bad people”.
By ZOE EFSTATHIOU
PUBLISHED: 07:18, Wed, Sep 28, 2016 | UPDATED: 08:42, Wed, Sep 28, 2016
The refugee fled war-torn Eritrea and was offered a home in Swansea city centre, but after his flat was burgled twice, he claims he can no longer tolerate living in the Welsh city.
The religious 40-year-old immigrant, who cannot be named, was offered a flat in a high-rise block on Griffith John Street, a cul-de-sac, which features two 11-storey blocks of flats and locked up garages.
But after the man’s flat was broken into in July, he claimed he felt “violated” and launched a court appeal urging authorities to find him a better place to live.
In a hearing at Swansea Crown Court, the refugee’s lawyer, Kevin Jones, said: "He [the victim] is a religious man who does not drink alcohol, and wanted to be moved out of the Griffith John Street flats – and out of the city centre in general – to get away from disruptive and rowdy behaviour, and bad people in the area.”
The man’s flat was burgled on July 21 and again on July 22, during which a laptop, mobile phone, clothes, jewellery, sunglasses, aftershave and chocolates were taken.
The burglar responsible for both raids was caught on CCTV and was found to be Phillipa Turner, a 28-year-old who already has eight previous convictions for shoplifting and supplying heroin. She was on bail for another theft offence at the time.
The court heard the refugee “wanted to live a quiet life” and did not feel safe following the break-in.
He pleaded for the authorities to move him away from Swansea in general.
Despite being named after a 19th Century missionary, Griffith John Street is a notorious crime hotspot with arrests and drug raids for class A substances common.
Just a few weeks ago, local police stormed a flat in one of the tower blocks and seized heroin and crack cocaine.
Swansea Council also recently rigged the flats with CCTV cameras in an effort to curb anti-social behaviour.
Unemployed Griffith John Street resident Mike George, 43, told the Telegraph: "It’s not the best place in the world, in fact it’s a hell hole, and I’m sure everyone living here would rather be somewhere else – it’s tough.
“But there’s a lot of refugees here now and they have to accept what’s on offer.”
http://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/1/590x/Griffith-John-Street-715170.jpg
Griffith John Street is a notorious crime hotspot in Swansea
Received on Wed Sep 28 2016 - 05:06:17 EDT
